Beer tapping device



April 1, 1969 M. s. JOHNSTON BEER TAPPING DEVICE v `Filed. May 20, 1966 'l ne 25| INVENTOR MACK S, JOHNSTON Wam@ 'l I A TTOR N E Y United States Patent O 3,435,997 BEER TAPPING DEVICE Mack S. Johnston, Kalispell, Mont., assignor to Johnston Enterprises, Inc., Kalispell, Mont., a corporation of Montana Continuation-impart of applications Ser. No. 150,982, Nov. 8, 1961, and Ser. No. 406,682, Oct. 27, 1964. This application May 20, 1966, Ser. No. 551,744

Int. Cl. B65d 83/00, 8S/14 U.S. Cl. 222--4007 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending 4application Ser. No. 406,682, now abandoned, entitled, Tapping Device for Beer Kegs and the` Like, filed Oct. 27, 1964. Said application Ser. No. 406,682 is a continuation-impart of my copending application Ser. No. 150,982, now abandoned, filed Nov. 8, 1961, entitled, Siphon Device for Beer Kegs and the Like, and also of my copending application Ser. No. 395,084, filed Sept. 8, 1964, now issued as U.S. Letters Patent No. 3,231,154, application Ser. No. 395,084 having been iiled as a continuation of said application Ser. No. 150,982 (with like title).

The present invention relates to ya new improved tapping device for drawing fluid such as beer from containers such as beer kegs or barrels, using `a gas to drive the fluid from the container. In particular, the invention relates to a new improved tapping device usable with conventional beer kegs and comprising a sub-unit, called a keg adapter, which constantly seals the keg, and especially an improved subunit, called a coupler, which is attached to the beer dispensing apparatus in a restaurant or tavern and is readily connected to the keg yadapter so that the tapping device is automatically in operating condition.

My Iaforementioned parent applications disclose and claim various new improved beer keg tapping devices comprising a keg adapter in the beer keg plus a dispenser coupler which provide important improved results and advantages as discussed in said parent applications.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new further improved coupler device for dispensing liquids which includes a novel and simplified dispenser coupler unit of three-piece construction and having collar means rotating independently of the coupler unit for easy attachment of the coupler unit to a beer keg adapter without special fittings, with the necessity of forming separate gas and liquid passageways in the coupler unit being eliminated by novel cooperation between the probe and the main bore formed in the unit.

It is a further related object of this invention to provide a new improved dispenser coupler unit which lends itself to more convenient and quick coupling, by pre-orienting the rotating `coupler collar attachable to the keg adapter with respect to the main coupler head and the probe which actuates the beer valve. It is another object to achieve this at low cost, with minimum modification of Patented Apr. l, 1969 tooling, and without sacrificing other advantages of the novel dispensing coupler utilized in my novel improved beer keg tapping combination.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, with reference to the `accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a new improved packaging Iand dispensing tapping device according to this invention (generally similar to the embodiment of FIGURES 9 to 13 in my parent application Ser. No. 406,682, but including a modified improved dispensing coupler);

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken taken along line 2-2 in FIG-URE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view showing components of part of the packaging and dispensing device of FIGUR-ES 1 and 2, more especially the improved coupler unit applied by the bartender.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a new improved keg tapping and dispensing device including an improved simplified dispenser coupler unit generally indicated at A5 for use with the conventional dispensing apparatus and tanks of compressed gas that are usually found in taverns and restaurants (per FIGURE 1 in my application Ser. No. 406,682).

The embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2 is the same as that of FIGURES 9` to 13B in my application Ser. No. 406,682.-the disclosure thereof being incorporated herein by reference as though here fully set forth-exoept for modification of coupler head 44e as shown especially in FIGURE 3 and hereafter described.

For clarity and to minimize duplication of description, parts of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3 which are the same as those of the embodiment in FIGURES 9-13B of my application Ser. No. 406,682 are identified by like numerals, and modified parts in FIGURES l-3 herein which correspond to parts of the embodiment of FIG- URES 9-13B of my application Ser. No. 406,682 are identified in FIGURES 1-3 hereof by like numerals plus the subscript h to the extent feasible.

The improved coupler unit A5 includes a generally cylindrical head 44d which has a central vertically eX- tending bore 136 of three diameters, indicated at 138, and 142. A tubular arm 144, having a central bore 146, is preferably formed integrally with the head 44h and is adapted to receive the end of a piece of tubing that connects coupler unit A5 to `a tank of pressurized gas or air (such as the tank 30 shown in FIGURE 1 of my application Ser. No. 406,682). The coupler unit A5 also includes a generally tubular probe 64d which is positioned within the `bore 136 and which has a central bore 66d that forms the sole liquid passageway through the coupler unit. The exterior of the probe 64d is provided with groove 137 for sealing ring 141 and one or two grooves 139 for one or two sealing rings 143, which may be O-rings of neoprene rubber. The sealing rings 141 preclude the escape of gas from passageway defined by bores 146, 136 and 142; and the unique cooperation between head 44h, probe 64d, seals 141 and 143, eliminates the necessity of drilling a separate gas passageway in the head 44h with resultant savings in manufacturing costs and easier cleaning and maintenance.

The upper end of the probe 64d has an outwardly extending flange 148 having an outer diameter and thickness substantially equal to the inner diameter and depth of bore 138 whereby when the probe is positioned within the head 44h, the upper end of the probe 148 is aligned with the top of the head as shown in FIGURE 1. As disclosed in my application Ser. No. 406,682 (FIGURE 11A), when dispenser coupler unit A5 is used in a restaurant, a conventional cap is connected to the externally threaded portion 150 of head 44d and holds the probe 64d within bore 136 in coupler head 44h, thereby forcing the lower end of the probe 64d to project sufliciently below the bottom of the coupler head portion 44h so as to open the beer valve in the keg adapter unit generally indicated B3, when the coupler unit A5 is connected thereto (in a manner similar to that described in detail in my applications, Ser. Nos. 406,682, 395,084 and 150,- 982.

An annular member 160 is secured about the slightly enlarged lower end of the coupler head 44h by a snap ring 162 and retains collar 118d rotatably mounted on coupler head 44h. The snap ring 162 allows the rnernber 160 to be quickly removed from the head 44h so that collar 118d can be slipped off head 44h for easy repair or replacement when necessary. The collar 118d has a plurality of handle portions 119d formed integrally therewith, is internally threaded at 124d for cooperation with the threaded portion 1280? of the annular ring 126d, as shown in FIGURE l, and fits loosely on the head 44h. The ring 126d forms the outer portion of an improved means (shown particularly in FIGURES 14B, C and D of my application Ser. No. 406,682) for securing the keg adapter unit B3 in the standard %inch diameter opening 22 in a conventional beer keg 20l (as more fully described in my application Ser. No. 406,682). The bottom of the head 44h carries an annular seal 56d which may be of an O-ring of neoprene rubber, for providing an annular seal between the coupler unit A5 and the upper surface 166 of the ring 126d of adapter unit B3, surrounding the beer and gas passages (see FIGURE l).

The keg adapter B3 shown in FIGURES l and 2 is the same as the keg adapter B3 shown in FIGURES 9 to 13B of my application Ser. No. 406,682 and described fully in said application Ser. No. 406,682, whereby adapter B3 is described herein only to the extent necessary for background herein.

The keg adapter B3 comprises a main tting 76d which includes a generally cylindrical [body section '77d having an enlarged liange 78d extending radially outwardly from the upper end thereof. The outer periphery of the ange 78d is notched, as shovm at 168, and cooperates with a reversed notched portion 170 formed about the edge of the central aperture 172 in the ring 126d to prevent the fitting 76d from passing upward through the ring aperture 172. These notched portions of the flange 78d and ring 126d are arranged so that when the keg adapter unit B3 is positioned in a keg, the upper surface of the ange 78d lies in the same horizontal plane as the upper surface 160 of ring 126d, whereby metal ring 126:1 protects the adapter fitting 76d, particularly when the latter is made of plastic.

The body section 77d of main fitting 76d has four substantially identical air passage slots or grooves 176 with intermediate segments 174 having upper portions provided with interrupted threads 182 adapted to receive an externally threaded retainer ring 92d. The lower end of ring 92d tightly engages annular rubber valve seat 88d to secure valve seat 88d between the ring 92d and the upper end of a tubular member 184. Member 184 includes an upper portion 185 which tits within the upper bore of port 77d and a lower portion 187 which its within the lower bore 84d and extends beyond the lower end of the main litting 76d. A compression spring 97 lits within the upper portion of the member 184 and its lower end rests on the shoulder 189 formed by the juncture of the two portions 18S and 187 of member 184. The spring 97 biases beer valve 90d upwardly against the underside of the rubber valve seat 88d.

Referring again especially to FIGURE l, a suitable beer tap rod 106d is frictionally or otherwise secured around the lower end l187 of member 184, and extends to the bottom of the keg 20 (as in FIGURE 1 of application Ser. No. 406,682).

A resilient gas check valve 108d is positioned with a lower portion tightly engaging a peripheral portion of tap rod 1065i; and the lower end of the keg adapter fitting body section 77d receives the upper end of the -gas check valve 108d which tightly lits around part 186. As disclosed and described in Ser. Nos. 406,682, 395,084 and 150,982, the intermediate portion of valve 108d is provided with one or more slits at 109 to permit gas or air to pass from the inside of the valve 108:1 to the interior of the keg 20 when the pressure of the gas is greater than the pressure inside the keg. On the other hand, the sealed ends of valve 108d and such slit(s) at 109 prevent gas or beer from passing from the interior of the keg to the inside of valve 108d and thus preclude contamination of the gas feed portions of the tapping device comprising keg adapter B3 and coupler dispenser A5.

The h-ead 44h is provided with at least three or four protrusions or knobs 151k extending laterally from the head portion 44h at equi-angular locations, as disclosed particularly in FIGURE 3. The protrusions or knobs `151k lie in substantially the same plane, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of head 44h and probe 64d. Also, the protrusions or knobs 151k extend a suicient radial distance from the axis of head 44h so as to overlap the top surface 119k of collar 118d surrounding the central aperture 121k of collar 1r18d. The coupler A5 is assembled with probe 64d within the head 44h and the collar or ring i18n rotatably mounted on the lower enlarged portion of head 44h by means of ring 160 and split retaining ring 162 secured in groove 162k. The collar 1180.' for securing the coupler A5 to the keg adapter B3 is thereby oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of dispensing coupler A5 and keg adapter B3.

Summarizing the mode of operation of the unit of FIGURES l to 3, the keg adapter unit B3 is installed in the keg 20 at the brewery as noted above and explained in detail in application Ser. No. 406,682. The beer valve d is normally biased closed against seat 88d by spring 97, thus sealing the keg 20, preventing loss of beer or ingress of foreign objects, etc., as discussed above. To tap a keg full of beer, the bartender applies to adapter unit B3 the coupler unit A5 which is connected to a beer outlet conduit, with gas inlet 144 connected to a gas supply. Coupler A5 is applied to keg adapter B3 by merely inserting coupler probe 64d in the aperture of ring 92d and rotating coupler collar 118d to thread it on adapter unit collar '126:1'. The O-rings 143, 141 and 56d seal off the gas passage 146-140-142-176-1804177 to the inside of gas check valve 108d. The probe 64d depresses the split valve stem 98d to open the beer dispensing passage through l106al-18718588d66d, while O-rings .141 and 143 and slit valve 108d prevent beer from surging into any part of the gas passageways in either the keg adapter B3 or the coupler unit A5. Removal of coupler unit A5 by unthreading collar 118d automatically reseals the keg adapter B3 and thus the keg 20.

The co-planar radial protrusions 15111 of coupler head 44h bearing on surface 119k of coupler securing collar or wing nut 118d and the cooperating retaining ring 160 automatically orient the collar l118d coaxially with respect to the outer annular retaining'lock nut 126:1 of keg adapter B3 whereby the internal threads 1124d of collar 118d quickly and correctly engage the external threads 128d on the retaining lock nut 126d of keg adapter B3. Further, this arrangement orients collar 118d perpendicular to and coaxial with coupler A5 and keg adapter B3 thereby effectively providing proper self-location of the lower end of probe 64d within the beer passage 99d ofadapter B3 when the collar 118:1 of coupler A5 is applied to the retaining lock nut 126d of the keg adapter B3. This facilitates quick accurate coupling of the dispenser A5 to the keg adapter B3, eliminating the need for the bartender manually orieuting the collar 118d substantially perpendicular to the coupler head 44h and the keg adapter B3 (as in the case of the embodiment of FIGURES 9 to 13 of my aforementioned application Ser. No. 406,682). These features are quite advantageous and desirable, particularly in a high volume tavern Where tapping of kegs `must be accomplished very rapidly and trouble-free.

It `will `be apparent from the :foregoing that the present invention provides a new improved beer tapping device with a coupler achieving the various objects and advantages set forth above.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by U.S. Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid storing and dispensing apparatus for a beer keg or like container having a top, bottom and side walls with an opening in at least one wall comprising: a keg adapter which may be sealingly secured in the keg opening; said keg adapter having a liquid passage extending therethrough providing a passage from the outside to the inside of said keg; normally closed liquid valve means in said liquid passage, including a displaceable valve member with means normally biasing it into sealing position; at least one gas passage in said keg adapter bypassing said liquid valve means, for transmission of gas from the outside to the inside of the keg; a tap rod associated with said liquid passage of the keg adapter; said adapter having gas valve means adapted to be disposed within the keg for permitting iiow of gas toward the inside of the keg and preventing ow of liquid from the keg into said gas passage; a liquid dispensing coupler connected to said keg adapter, said liquid dispensing coupler comprising: a head member with means for opening said normally closed liquid Valve in said keg adapter when said dispensing coupler is assembled to said keg adapter, said means providing a liquid passage through the coupler head in communication with the outlet of said liquid passage means in said keg adapter to permit the How of liquid from the keg through said dispensing coupler head; a 'gas passage in said coupler head, and sealing means between said keg adapter and said dispensing coupler whereby one end of said gas passage in said coupler head is in communication with said gas passage in said keg adapter 'bypassing said liquid passage in said keg adapter and in said dispensing coupler; and means for connecting said dispensing coupler to the key adapter, including a collar having internal threads rotatably mounted on part of said coupler head and `tor limited sliding movement along said head, with retaining means spaced along the length of said head for limiting the sliding movement of said collar and orienting said collar with said threads substantially coaxial with the axis of said coupler head.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said last means comprises at least three substantially coplanar members extending radially outward from said coupler head and overlying part of said collar.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, comprising a removable ring secured to a portion of the coupler head on the side of said collar opposite the side overlain by said substantially coplanar members extending from said head.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said head member has a bore therein; a probe is disposed in said bore with said liquid passage means: in said coupler extending through said probe and one end of the probe projecting from said head member so that when said keg adapter and said coupler are assembled together the end of said probe opens said liquid valve in said keg adapter; said gas passage in said coupler formed 'by space between said probe and said bore of the head member; said collar means being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of said coupler probe and the keg adapter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,431,513 10/1922 Cox 285-401 2,223,012 11/ 1940 Wanderski et al. 222-507 X 2,919,146 12/1959 Gill 285-401 3,173,586 3/1965 Pawson Z22-400.7 2,741,497 4/ 1956 Risley 285--142 FOREIGN PATENTS 564,815 10/1958 Canada.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. N. L. STACK, JR., Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 285--401 Disclaimer 3,435,997.Macc S. Johnston, Kalispell, Mont. BEER TAPPING DEVICE.

Patent; dated Apr. 1, 1969. Disclaimer filed Apr. 13, 1972, by the assignee, Draft Systems, I ne.

Hereby disclaims the portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Jan.

[Oficial Gazette September I9, 1.972.] 

